Can the Church meet the challenge of "nihilism without the abyss?"

Gene Veith refers us to these spot-on pieces by political scientist and LCMS layman James R. Rodgers on the Church's need to take over as the ethical conscience of a sociopathic society to which it has traditionally forfeited that role, and to confront the "easy-going nihilism" which modern Americans both inside and outside the Church use to shield themselves against anything resembling authentic Christianity.

At least, we're past the point of pretending that American- and Western- Christianity doesn't face a crisis unprecedented since at least the time of Constantine. God can be counted on to do His part; whether we have either the courage or the acuity of mind needed to do ours remains to be seen.

Veni, Spiritus Creator.